46°
The juvenile, from Lawrence, is charged with one count of first-degree felony murder, one count of first-degree carjacking, two counts of second-degree aggravated assault, two counts of third-degree endangering the welfare of a child, and weapons offenses, according to Mercer County Prosecutor Angelo J. Onofri.
He was arrested on Monday, July 29 without incident in Trenton by members of the U.S. Marshals New York/New Jersey Regional Fugitive Task Force, the Mercer County Homicide Task Force and New Jersey State Police.
He will be held in the Middlesex County Juvenile Detention Center pending a court hearing.
His name is being withheld because he is a minor.
On July 12, at approximately 10:20 p.m., Trenton police received several calls reporting an accident involving an overturned vehicle near Garfield and Farragut avenues. Upon arrival, emergency personnel located a white Dodge Durango that was overturned.
Police found the victim, Yony Emmanuel Cruz-Rodriguez, 27, of Trenton, inside the Durango suffering from multiple gunshot wounds, as well as two minor children who were strapped into car seats and unharmed.
According to witnesses, Cruz-Rodriguez was standing at the open back of the Durango when an unidentified suspect entered the vehicle and attempted to drive away, Onofri said.
Cruz-Rodriguez attempted to climb in the rear of the Durango when witnesses indicate multiple gunshots were fired, the vehicle crashed into two parked cars a short distance away and the suspect fled the scene.
Cruz-Rodriguez was pronounced dead at the scene.
The investigation is ongoing. Anyone with information is asked to contact MCHTF Detective Chris Pullen at (848) 992-6436 or Sgt. William Jett Jr. at (609) 331-5010. Information can also be emailed to mchtftips@mercercounty.org.
Click here to follow Daily Voice Dunellen and receive free news updates.
